Quality of Life. Quality of Housing. Quality of Services.

ZOMBIE Health Walk/Bike/Run

The Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority and Douglas County Housing, Inc., in partnership with the Kansas Health Foundation, hosted the ZOMBIE Walk/Bike/Run on July 28th, a community event promoting the six factors of the ZOMBIE health initiative. Approximately 100 participants were encouraged to dress like zombies and then donned zombie makeup to walk, bike and run a 1.5 mile route including the community of Edgewood and part of the Burroughs Creek Trail. Thank you to the volunteers and sponsors who helped make the first ever ZOMBIE walk/bike/run a success!

The ZOMBIE Health Initiative addresses six identified health targets -- Zoning, as in healthy spaces, Outside activity, Movement of and Body image, Ingredients for meals, and Exercise. This project aims to prevent and reduce childhood obesity in youth by increasing regular participation in physical activity and nutrition based eating. Participants learned about health and wellness activities, played water and other active games, had a watermelon feed and met local firemen while getting to tour a Lawrence fire truck!

The event attracted zombies of all ages! Families with small children, teenagers and grandparents all came out to promote health and exercise!
by DouglasCountyHousing

Youth and staff at the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority Full Circle Youth Program planted a garden of vegetables earlier in the spring. Known as the “Zombie Patch”, the garden produces a healthy snack of vegetables while teaching youth about growing produce.
by DouglasCountyHousing

Walkers were given bottles of water as they finished the 1.5 mile ZOMBIE trail. This zombie walked the trail twice.
Participants were also given reusable shopping bags provided by Natural Grocers. These bags, or ZOMBIE kits, were filled with useful health and wellness information.
by DouglasCountyHousing

Volunteer makeup artist Hailey Gillespie and two of her creations demonstrate their zombie skills during the games and festivities following the trail walk.
by DouglasCountyHousing

Stephen Mason, a ZOMBIE route leader rides with zombie. Staff and volunteers wore bright Walking School Bus vests to promote safety and guide participants along the trail.
by DouglasCountyHousing

The halfway point on the trail was marked with more activities and volunteers from the Boys and Girls Club!
Walkers/bikers/runners stopped for a refreshing drink and activities such as pushups, hula hooping, hopscotch and jump roping!
by DouglasCountyHousing